10 Household Uses for Lemon Essential Oil

Time for some trivia: What natural item can replace many of the commercial cleaning and other household products in your home?

Lemon essential oil, of course!

That’s right, this essential oil—or as I like to call it, liquid sunshine— is one of the most versatile essential oils. Cold-pressed from lemon peels under pressure, lemon essential oil offers up a potent burst of citrus. Avoiding heat during the distillation process preserves the oil’s delicate essence.

Lemon oil is a powerful cleansing agent that helps purify the air, disinfect surfaces, and can be used as a non-toxic cleaner throughout the home. Not only is it inexpensive, but it’s also an aromatic powerhouse, and deliver antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and mood-enhancing properties. Who knew household chores could be so uplifting? Goodness knows we could all use a little boost while working around the house.

Read on for 10 everyday household uses for lemon oil. Keep in mind that these are just a few of the hundreds of uses. Once you start using it around the house, you’ll be hooked.

1. Freshen laundry

Add a few drops of lemon oil to unscented laundry detergent to give it a pleasant scent, or add a drop or two directly to the rinse cycle to freshen up any load.

Bonus tip: Lemon essential oil will get rid of the musty, mildewy smell in laundry that has been sitting in the washer for too long.

2. Remove stains

Lemon essential oil naturally removes stains from fabric — even old grease stains. Just rub the oil directly on the stain, and wash the item. It works like a charm.

3. Use as an air freshener

Put several drops of lemon essential oil in a squirt bottle with distilled water. Spritz some of the mixture into the air to freshen any room.

A glass bottle is the best option. Plastic and essential oils aren’t a great combination, as the oil can degrade the plastic.

4. Sterilize surfaces

That spray bottle you just made is very versatile. You can also use it to sterilize surfaces, such as countertops, tables, and kitchen appliances. It is even effective on stainless steel—no need to buy a specialty cleaning product for a single surface!

5. Polish furniture

Add a few drops of lemon essential oil to half a cup of olive oil to clean, shine, and protect wood surfaces.

6. Remove sticky residue

That nasty residue leftover from removing a price sticker? No problem for lemon essential oil. Just put a few drops of oil on the residue and rub with a cotton swab to remove the gunk.

Plus, it smells a darn sight better than the chemical alternatives. The commercial stuff is an assault on the senses!

7. Freshen dishcloths and sponges

Soak your dishcloths and sponges overnight in a bowl of lemon-infused water to disinfect.

8. Eliminate dish spots

Add a couple of drops of lemon essential oil to your dishwasher—or dish water, if you hand wash—for spot-free dishes.

9. Cleanse and refresh carpet

Add 10 to 15 drops of lemon essential oil to a gallon of carpet cleaning solution to help pull out stains, brighten carpets and rugs, and leave a fresh, clean smell in the room.

10. Freshen your fridge

Forget the baking soda. Place a few drops of lemon essential oil on a cotton ball and leave in the refrigerator to help eliminate odors.

Photo credit: Paul Delmont